Listening Part 1
Listening to Problem Solving
Time
~8 minutes
Questions
8
Audio
Once only
What Is This Task?
You will hear a conversation between a man and a woman who do not know each other. One has a problem; the other — someone who works for an organization and serves the public — helps solve it. For example, a shopper and a sales assistant, a tenant and a building manager, or a patient and a receptionist.
The conversation is divided into three sections. After each section, you will answer two or three multiple-choice questions, for a total of eight questions. In each question, the response options may be either all words or all pictures.
To answer the questions you must understand the main ideas, the opinions expressed, and some of the details. You will also need to make inferences — that is, apply your thinking skills to the given information in order to draw a logical conclusion.
You will have about 8 minutes total to listen to all three sections and answer the eight questions. The audio plays only ONCE. You cannot rewind or replay any part of the conversation.
Step-by-Step Task Flow
Introduction Screen
A brief text description appears on screen telling you who is speaking and the setting (e.g., "You will hear a conversation between a man and a woman in a retail store. He is a shopper; she is a sales assistant."). Read this carefully — it gives critical context.
Section 1 Plays
The first section of the conversation plays. The speakers establish the problem and begin discussing initial options. Listen for what the problem is and what is first suggested.
Section 1 Questions (2–3)
Questions appear about Section 1. They test your understanding of the problem, the first suggestions offered, and initial reactions. Answer within the time limit.
Section 2 Plays
The conversation continues. Speakers may settle on a decision, introduce new information, or modify earlier suggestions. Pay attention to any shifts.
Section 2 Questions (2–3)
Questions about Section 2 appear. They often ask about what the speakers decided, why they changed course, or how they feel about the evolving situation.
Section 3 Plays & Final Questions
The final section plays, followed by the remaining questions. The conclusion often contains the final decision and practical next steps. This is where the "bottom line" answer lives.
Strategies & Techniques
Common Traps to Avoid
- ✗A speaker praises an option but immediately rejects it: "That sounds excellent, but I'm not sure we can afford it right now." The correct answer is NOT the praised option — it is whatever they conclude after the "but."
- ✗Answer options often contain keywords heard directly in the audio. This is intentional. Word-matching (picking an answer because you heard the exact same phrase) is the #1 mistake in L1. Focus on MEANING and CONTEXT, not matching words.
- ✗The conversation may circle back to an earlier idea. Listen carefully for "Actually, maybe we should go with your first idea" (reconsidering) vs. "Like I said, that won't work" (dismissing again). These sound similar but have opposite implications.
- ✗Some questions have response options that are all pictures instead of all words. Don't be thrown off — treat them the same way. Each picture represents a concept, and you need to match it to what was discussed.
- ✗If someone says something is "not expensive" — that does NOT mean they will buy it. Acknowledging affordability and making a purchase decision are two different things.